Home renovation tips to help you save on heating, water costs

Start by evaluating which renovations fit your home's needs

Posted by BJ Mayer

Fall has arrived and the temperatures are dropping. It's a good time of year to consider upgrading your home's overall efficiency to guard against the drafty weather to come.

And if renovations are on your to-do list this year, consider how to add increased energy efficiency into your renovation goals. Whether you have projects in mind or haven't considered renovations yet, take the time to assess your home's current state.

Take a quick walk through your house and check the following:

Is your house drafty? Check especially near exterior doors and windows.

Are your walls cold to the touch?

Is there condensation on your windows?

Was your home built before 1985? This is especially important if you haven't already undergone significant renovations.

If you answered yes to any of the questions, it's possible that your home could use an energy efficiency upgrade, which will help cut your overall energy costs.

If the main concern is stopping drafts and lowering heating costs, insulation upgrades or draftproofing might be a good place to start.

Upgrade insulation in key areas

Upgrading the insulation in your home can be a cost-effective, energy-efficient measure to save on your energy bill. On average, 50 per cent of the energy used in a home is for space heating or cooling.

When making insulation upgrades, remember:

The attic is the most cost effective place to add insulation. A well-insulated attic can reduce year-round heating or cooling use by 20 to 60 per cent. Basements are another great place to consider insulation upgrades, especially if you're not prepared to redo your entire home.

Proper installation is extremely important. Leaving spaces around the insulation, allowing air movement and compressing the insulation can all reduce its effectiveness.

A home energy advisor can also recommend insulation that will work best in your home. Not only will insulation keep your home warm in the winter, it will also keep it cool in the summer.

Small upgrades can still make a big difference

For those on a budget, small upgrades can still make a big difference. To see how much heat is lost throughout your home, walk around with a candle that you've just blown out (or smoking incense stick) and see where the smoke naturally flows. This will help identify air leaks where heat is being lost.

Once you've identified air leaks, you can use products readily available at local hardware stores to help block drafts and improve your home's efficiency, such as: